Wales Squad Announced for Upcoming World Cup Qualifiers
Olivia Clark (left) will compete with Safia Middleton-Patel for the starting goalkeeper position, while Laura Hughes (right) aims to play alongside key player Ceri Holland (centre).
Ceri Holland, Olivia Clark, and Laura Hughes have been named in the Wales squad for next month’s Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and the Czech Republic. However, Hayley Ladd is absent due to injury.
The influential Ceri Holland withdrew from Wales’ April double-header against Albania but has returned after resuming play with Liverpool in the final weeks of the Women’s Super League season.
Leicester City goalkeeper Olivia Clark also featured in the closing stages of the 2025-26 league campaign after recovering from an ankle injury sustained while on Wales duty in February.
Melbourne City midfielder Laura Hughes is included in the Wales squad for only the second time, having switched her international allegiance from Australia last December.
Hughes, 24, is selected despite missing Wales’ previous two camps due to injury. Head coach Rhian Wilkinson will, however, be without the experience of Hayley Ladd for the crucial Group B1 matches.
Wales will face Montenegro in Podgorica on Friday, 5 June, before hosting the Czech Republic at the Cardiff City Stadium four days later.
Currently, Wales sit second in Group B1, behind the Czech Republic on goal difference, having accumulated 10 points from their four qualifiers so far.
Victories in the final two matches would see Wales finish top of the group, securing a more favourable draw in the play-offs later this year.
Squad Additions and Player Milestones
Uncapped Bournemouth midfielder Elena Cole, 19, has been called up to the senior squad after impressive performances for Wales Under-19s. Also included is 18-year-old Manchester United defender Scarlett Hill, who has two caps.
Like Holland, Newcastle United defender Lois Joel returns to the squad after withdrawing from the Albania fixtures due to injury.
Attacking midfielder Carrie Jones is set to reach 50 Wales caps if she participates in both June fixtures.
Group B1 Standings and Tie-Break Rules
If Wales and the Czech Republic finish level on points, the group winner will be determined by head-to-head records.
If still level, goal difference will be the next deciding factor, followed by goals scored, away goals scored, number of wins in the group, and number of away wins in the group.
Should the teams remain tied after these criteria, final positions will be decided by disciplinary points and then overall phase rankings in the 2025 Women’s Nations League.
Wales Squad
Olivia Clark (Leicester City), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Poppy Soper (Rugby Borough), Mayzee Davies (Manchester City), Charlie Estcourt (Portsmouth), Gemma Evans (unattached), Scarlett Hill (Manchester United), Lois Joel (Newcastle United), Esther Morgan (Bristol City), Ella Powell (Bristol City), Rhiannon Roberts (Sunderland), Lily Woodham (Liverpool), Laura Hughes (Melbourne City), Sophie Ingle (Bristol City), Angharad James (Seattle Reign), Elena Cole (AFC Bournemouth), Carrie Jones (IFK Norrkoping), Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Ffion Morgan (West Ham United), Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic), Rachel Rowe (Nottingham Forest), Tianna Teisar (unattached), Mared Griffiths (Manchester United), Hannah Cain (Leicester City), Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace), Phoebie Poole (Plymouth Argyle).
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